WIN The Ordinary Acrobat by Duncan Wall (5 Hardbacks Available $26.95 value)

Check out ChiIL Live Shows' exclusive interview with Vladik, juggler with Cirque du Soleil's Dralion who is also interviewed in print in The Ordinary Acrobat.  It was truly a pleasure to chat with the 28 year old who was born into the Moscow Circus.   He now combines elements of acro and dance with his juggling routines.

*The Ordinary Acrobat by Duncan Wall (5 hardbacks available/  $26.95 value each).  Enter through midnight 7/30. 

Watch for loads of our original circus content throughout the month of our giveaway.  We have video interviews with Cirque Du Soleil performers featured in the book, live show clips we've filmed at CircEsteem Shows, and loads of stills from international touring circuses including Cirque Shanghai, performing on Navy Pier all summer in Chicago, and more!

It was our great pleasure to meet author Duncan Wall at City Winery on his book tour through Chicago this spring.   Here are our stills from the reading and we'll have lots of video from that night up in the coming weeks.   

City Winery

Our home base for circus arts, Chicago's own CircEsteem, is also referenced in the book.   My kids have studied there for 3 years come fall.  The night of the reading, we heard Maribeth Joy, the Executive Director of CircEsteem speak on Circus Philanthropy and saw performances by alum, Will, on diablo.   We had to leave before instructor, Brian P. Dailey, gave a juggling demo that night, but we have sweet video footage and stills of him performing with El Circo Cheapo to share instead.   

Click the link below for your chance to win one of 5 copies of this fascinating read through midnight 7/30.

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Cirque du Soleil's Dralion-Sneak Peek and Original Video Interview

We thoroughly enjoyed catching up with Vanessa Napoli, Senior PR Spokesperson for Cirque du Soleil's Touring Shows.    She gave us the scoop on Dralion, opening at Allstate Arena this Wednesday, June 20th, then playing at United Center the following week.   Check out our original interview above, interspersed with Dralion live show clips, courtesy of Cirque du Soleil.   We'll be there for opening night and will have a full show review up shortly thereafter.    

  

If you missed it earlier, we also had the opportunity to interview Dralion's talented and charming young acro-juggler, Vladik.   Click here to check out our original interview with him.

One of the questions I asked Vanessa was about Cirque du Soleil's history of philanthropic partnerships in the cities they visit.  She told us they do usually try to partner up with local circus arts organizations, especially deserving non profits, but she didn't have specific details at the time.  We just got word that Dralion has indeed donated tickets to Chicago's CircEsteeem, so their young team and pre-team performers can catch the show.  They will also be running some special workshops with the CircEsteem kids!   Unfortunately, we'll be out of town shooting a travel piece, but if we can find another shooter, and if Dralion green lights it, we'll share stills and video from the workshop here as well.

Make 2012--The Chinese Year of the Dragon one to remember for your family! 

Catch Dralion performances in Rosemont at Allstate Arena (June 20-24) and Chicago at United Center (June 27-July 1).   Click here for tickets and more information.

Cirque du Soleil's Dralion is Coming to Chicago #Original Video Interview

ChiIL Live Shows caught up with Dralion performer, Vladik, a rockin' young juggler and musician (born into the Moscow Circus), who now combines acrobatic tricks and modern dance in his juggling routine.    Check out our original video interview above then check him out live in the Chi-town area starting June 20th!

What's part Dragon...part lion...all astounding and coming to Allstate and United Center?    Cirque du Soleil’s Dralion!

  

Make 2012--The Chinese Year of the Dragon one to remember for your family! 

Catch Dralion performances in Rosemont at Allstate Arena (June 20-24) and Chicago at United Center (June 27-July 1)

Spotlight On:

Vladik Miagkostupov
Act:        Juggling
Country:              Vinetza, Ukraine
Date of birth:     January 27, 1984
Languages spoken:         Russian, English
 
Vladik’s love of performing was cultivated at a very young age as he was born into a creative family. Both of his parents were part of the Moscow Circus. At the age of 4, his parent started his training in dancing and acrobatics. His father, who is a juggler, taught Vladik juggling. His professional career started at the age of 9. Since then, he performed in more than 30 countries as well, for renowned companies such as Lido de Paris in Paris, Le Cabaret in Monte Carlo and with Dralion by Cirque du Soleil. He won several awards including the gold medal in Paris at the Cirque de Demain competition.
 
Cirque du Soleil saw him at the Cirque de Demain’s competition and then invited him to send a video. Vladik joined Cirque du Soleil in 2003 as a performer in Solstrom by Cirque du Soleil. He joined Dralion on tour in 2006. His act is not just an ordinary juggling act but includes a modern mix of juggling, dance and acrobatics. He now returns in Dralion for the North America Arena tour.

Vladik was personable and awesome to interview and we are sooo stoked to see him in action LIVE in a few weeks!  

We also caught up with Drailion's PR expert, Vanessa, for an exclusive video interview, coming soon.    She's got the scoop on the whole show and what wonders await.     

Click here to get your tickets today and do up the Year of The Dragon in style with unforgettable Dralion!